Health

Face shield gives a false sense of security – Ghanian Doctors

By Web News 925

JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM GHANA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION (GMA) AND THE WEST AFRICAN COLLEGE OF SURGEONS (GHANA CHAPTER)

The Fellows and Members of the Ghana Chapter of the West African College of Surgeons and the Ghana Medical Association have noted with alarm the increasing use of face shields without masks as protection against COVID-19.

This is a very dangerous trend that must be discontinued by the general public with immediate effect.

Continuous use of Face Shields without mask by the general public will lead to increased cases of COVID-19 in the country.

The public is advised to wear masks at all times.

The use of Face Shields alone (without a facemask) does not give the user the needed protection against COVID-19 especially in the light of potential airborne spread of the virus from emerging scientific evidence.

Face shields protect against splashes, and maybe added to a mask.

Face shields should not be used as a replacement for masks in protecting one against COVID-19.

There have been unsubstantiated reports on some social media platforms about a decrease in blood oxygen concentration as well as a buildup of carbon dioxide when one uses a mask.

As Medical Doctors (especially Surgeons), we wear facemasks all the time in the course of work and no such derangements have been observed.

We entreat the general public to disregard these social media reports.

The No mask-No entry policy should be rigorously enforced.

A face shield is NOT a mask.

The use of Face Shields without mask should not be encouraged and must be stopped.

SIGNED                                             SIGNED

Dr. Frank Ankobea                              Prof. Peter Donkor

President, GMA                                  1st Vice-President and

Country Representative,

West African College of Surgeons

Health

Covid-19: Face Shield or Face Mask?

By Web News 1090

Since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic, World Health Organisation, W.H.O, recommended the use of face mask or shield to curb the spread of the disease.

Also, the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, on April 27th mandated the use of face masks or covering in public places in view of the ways in which the virus is being transmitted from one person to the other.

However, there is a contrary directive from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC on the use of face shield.

To this end, most Nigerians are confused on whether to use nose mask or face shield or the combination of the two apparatus to combat the spread of the virus.

Our health correspondent, captured opinions of stakeholders on the use of face shield and nose mask.

Titilayo Kupoliyi